Migraines increase the risk of a stroke during pregnancy considerably.
The researchers suspect migraine puts an additional stress on the body when it is already struggling with increased blood volume and heart rate.The British Medical Journal study stressed though that the overall risk remained low.
The US Study also linked the headaches to a raised risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and blood clots. It has been suggested that migraine itself is a sign that the cardiovascular system is not working as well as it should be.
Up to 26% of women of childbearing age and around one third of women between 35 and 39 suffer from migraines.
The researchers analysed 33,956 pregnancies from 2000 to 2003 and migraines during pregnancy were linked to a 15-fold increased risk of stroke. Migraines were also linked to a tripling of the risk of blood clots in the veins and a doubling of the risk of heart disease. The risk of a stroke in pregnancy is low, at about 4 cases per 100,000 births.
Researcher Professor Cheryl Bushnell said: "Our study should not discourage women with migraine from considering getting pregnant. Many women with pre-pregnancy migraines improve with pregnancy and never have a problem."
Joanne Murphy, from The Stroke Association, stressed that stroke during pregnancy was very rare. She said: "However, this study shows that some expectant mothers with migraines are at risk of stroke. It is important that pregnant women talk to their GP or health professional if they experience migraines."
Dr Tim Chico, a cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, said:"This study suggests but by no means proves suffering migraine might increase risk of stroke during pregnancy."
March 2009 | 
Migraines Raise Stroke Risk In Pregnancy
